Travel & Leisure Names The Foundry as One of America's Best Outdoor Bars

Another local gem is national news. Just a few months after opening, Travel and Leisure magazine has selected The Foundry in north Oak Cliff as one of "America's Best Outdoor Bars."

Assests of a good bar, according to T&L, are sun, cold drinks and a dash of atmosphere. Can't argue with that. From the article:

A former garage was reborn in early 2012 as this outdoor bar enclosed by industrial metal and decked out with picnic tables, four massive semi-truck trailers, and a stage constructed from wooden warehouse pallets. If watching live music while sipping southern brews like Dixie Lager or Southern Star Pale Ale makes you hungry, wander to the adjoined Chicken Scratch. It's the latest concept from acclaimed chef Tim Byres, and makes The Foundry likely the best outdoor bar anywhere for rotisserie chicken.

We already know all that though. And then some. And we're happy for the kids at the Foundry. Co-owners, Chris Zeilke and Chris Jeffers, along with chef Tim Byres have all worked hard to make Oak Cliff a destination location. Even for outta towners now.

The Lustre Pearl in Austin also made the list. As did a sunken and refurbished lightship called the Frying Pan that was originally built in 1929. This "dive" bar is permanantly docked along the Hudson River and serves drinks on the top deck. Road trip. But, first let's all meet at the Foundry.

The bones were most certainly there, but the addition and repositioning of the cargo containers and stage make for a more organized space. Additional lighting was added on top of the containers and stringed lights overhead plus that ugly shed was stripped away to the wooden frame. The garden out on Pittman is also a nice touch...

I keep saying the same thing. Added the great new stage and added a few more cargo containers than were already there. Jack's "invented" the cool vibe and design that included the bar building, separate building for food and awesome patio.
Very very little was done in this incarnation in terms of "conversion".